Vending machine



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- (i 3%270 I Maid? L 9 w. F. DONATE-IAN VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 50, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1- 1927. 1,619,248

w. F. DONATHAN VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 30, L925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1 1927. 1,619,248

w. F- DONATHAN VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 50, 1925 4 She t -sh t 3 Inventor Attorney W. F. DONATHAN March 1,1927. I 1,619,248

VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 50, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Attorney Patented 1.1927.

. A 1,619,248 UNIT-so STATES PATENT oF IcE'.

-WILLIAM nponarrnan, or

WINCHESTER, TENNESSEE, 'ASSIGNOR TO STEPHEN J.

GRAHAM, F TUCKERMAN, ARKANSAS.

' vannm'e MACHINE.

Originalapplication filed November 30,1925, Serial No. 72,375. Divided and this application filed Karol;

- 15, 1926. Serial No. 94,821. I

I This is a divisional application of 'my copending application bearing Serial No. 72,375, filed on November 30th, 1925. The present invention relates to improvements in vending machines and is more ar ticularly construction. One of the important objects of the present. invention is to provide a vending machine which includes a'rot'atable casing, the latter being provided with a series of independent compartments for receiving and displaying the various articles ofmerchandise which are to be vended by. the machine,

means being further provided for positionmg any one of the compartments in which the desired article is contained, in position with respect tothe delivery chute of the machine in order that the desired article may be obtained when the proper coin is inserted in the machine.

A still further object is to providea vending machine of the above'ment-ioned character which is provided with means for normally holding the rotatable casing against accidental rotation.

Another object is to provide a vending machine of the above mentioned character which is particularly adapted -to dispense merchandise put up in pacxage form.

A further object is to provide a vending machine of the above .mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the urposes for which it is designed.

Other 0 jects' .and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout th several views:

Figure l is a front elevation of the vending machine embodying my invention. Figure 2 is atop plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken approximately on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, the cover being removed to illustrate the article holding magazines.

adapted to an improved cabinettail of one of the grooved holders showing .track. a i

In the drawings wherein for the purpose is shown the referred em- 'bodiment of my tii designates the base, andextending upwardly 4 and the Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the e ector member and its su port.

Figures 7 and 8 are dbtail perspective views of two of the ejector actuating members,' and Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary dethe same positioned in one of the notches provided in of illustration invention, e numeral 1 therefromi's the circular track-2. A series of notches 3 are formed in the upper e'dge ofthe track and are arranged at s aced intervals in the manner as is more cearly illustrated in Figure 4. The purposeof the track and the notches formed in the upper edge thereof will be hereinafter more fully described.

Adapted for rotation on the base is the polygonal shaped. casing 4. While I have shown a substantially polygonal shaped casing, it is to be understood that any other design may be employed, and I do not wish to hmitmyself to the particular shape of the casing. Arr-an the casing are a series of vertically disposed compartments or magazines which are denoted by the numeral 5. These compartments or magazines extend from the top of the casing to the bottom thereof.

Each side or face of the polygonal shaped casing 4 is provided with the enlarged out out portion'7, and aglass panel 8 is disposed over each cut out of the casing 4. Suitab e guides 9 are provided for receiving and supporting the lass panel in position over the open front si e of the respective compartments on the magazines 5 and this construction is clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The provision of the cut out portions in the respective sides or faces of the casing lass panels 8 enables the merchandise to. e displayed so that tive purchaser may rotate the casing. until the article which is to be purchased is disposed in vertical alignment with the deliv- 2 respectively.

the upper edge of the circular ortion on the inside,

ed onthe inner side of a prospec- The mechandise is preferably put up in package form, and by providing a number of magazines or compartments, various articles may be dispensed from the machine, such as chewing gum, cigarettes, cigars, candy, cakes and the like.

For the purpose of facilitating the rotation of the polygonal shaped casing '1, there is formed on the casing adj accnt the bottom thereof, and at a point adjacent the discharge opening 11 formed in the front side of the lower portion of eaclrof the article receiving magazines or compartments 5, the annular flange 12. This flange is disposed slightly above the upper edge of the circular track 2. i

A series of grooved rollers 13 are journaled in suitable openings 11 provided in the annular flange 12 at spaced intervals, the grooved rollers being adapted to travel on the upper edge of the track 2 and being further adapted to cooperate with the spaced notches 3. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings.

A housing 15 is provided for each of the rollers, and associated with the top of each of the housings is a suitable handle or gripping membcr 16 whereby a person may grasp any one of the handles, and thus rotate the casing 1 on the track 2. The grooved rollers 13 are so arranged as to be disposed within the notches 3 so that the casing will be prevented from rotating on the upper edge of the track of its own accord. In order that the casing may be rotated on the track, it IS necessary that the grooved rollers be disengaged from the notches and this is accome plished by grasping and actuating any one of the handles or gripping members 16.

The magazines or compartments 5 are filled with packages to be vended from the top of the casing, and a suitable cover such as is shown at 17 is removably secured on the top of the casing 1. The upper central portion of the cover is open as indicated at 18, and the purpose thereof will be hereinafter more fully described.

Arranged within the rotatable casing 4 is the stationary c lindrical casing 19, This stationary cylin rical casing is fixed to the floor or bottom 20, the latter being arranged within the base 1 and being further associated with the lower portion of the circular track 2. The stationary cylindrical casing 19 extends upwardly through the bottom 6 of the rotatable casing 4 as is clearly i1 lustrated in Figure 3. The article receiving magazines or compartments 5 have their rear or inner walls engaging the outer wall of the stationary inner casing 19. However, the stationary casing will not interfere with the rotation of the outer casing *1, and the magazines carried thereby.

The stationary cylindrical casing 19 is also provided with a suitable cut out portion 21 :aaiaaaa adjacent the bottom thereof, and this cut out portion registers with the similar shaped out out portions 22 formed in the bottom of the rear or inner wall of each of the article receivingmagazines or compartments 5, as is also clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

A cover 23 is disposed over the opening 18 formed in the central portion of the cover 17 which is provided for the top of the polygonal shaped casing 4, and this cover 23 is supported in a stationary manner by means of the brackets 2a. The lower ends of these brackets are secured to the inner wall of the stationary cylindrical casing 19 at the upper end thereof. The central portion of the cover 23 is thickened, and arranged therein are the vertical coin receiving slots 25, 26, and 27 respectively. The slot 25 is of such size as to be adapted to receive a tencent coin, and the slot 27 a twenty-five cent coin. Suitable indicating means such as is shown at 28 is associated with each of the slots.

As the purpose of the coin receiving slot is specifically covered in another divisional application covering the fraud preventer for a coin controlled mechanism as well as being covered in my .copending application hearing Serial No. 72,375, a further description thereof in the present application is thought unnecessary. The above mentioned fraud preventing device is illustrated generally in Figure 5 at 32.

The coin controlled mechanism (not shown) in the present application, but which is fully shown and described in my copending application bearing Serial No. 72,37 5 is actuated by the shaft simultaneously with the fraud preventing device in the manner also more fully set forth in the above referred to application.

The lower end of this shaft extends through the false bottom 77 which is arranged in the lower portion of the stationary cylindrical casing 19. An angular bracket 78 is secured to the bottom of the false bottom 77 and the lower end of the shaft 75 also extends through this bracket.

A. drive shaft 79 is journaled transversely through the cylindrical track 2, and the lower portion of the stationary cylindrical casing 19. The inner end of the drive shaft 79 extends through the downwardly extending portion of the angular bracket 78 while the outer end of the shaft is disposed up wardly of the track section 2. Intel-meshing bevel gears 80 and 81 are secured on the inner end of the drive shaft 79 and on the lower end of the driven shaft 7 5 respectively, as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

An operating handle 84 is secured on the outer end of the drive shaft 79, and for the purpose of limiting the rotation of the drive shaft in either direction, there is provided on the operating handle a stop pin 85. This substantially rectangular design.

pin is adapted for engagement with the stop lugs 86 and 87 which are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft79, and the same ex-' tend laterally from the member 88 which is arranged on the outer side of the circular.

'ner in which these plates are mounted in the machine and are further actuated is specifically set forth in my copending application.

The forward portion of the plate 111 is cut away as'indic-ated at 115 so as to clear the shaft 75 when the machine is in operation in a manner to be more fully described.

This construction of this particular construction is shown in Figure 7.

Each of the ejector actuating plates is of A transversely extending slot 116 is provided adjacent the rear end of the slidable ejector actuator plate 111, similar slots being formed in the rear portions of the slidable ejector actuating plates 112 and 113 respectively. The forward longitudinal edges of each slot is cut away at the intermediate portion thereof as indicated at 1.19 as is also clearly illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

The means for ejecting the articles from the several compartments or magazines of the machine into the delivery chute 10 comprises an ejector block 124. This block is of a thickness equal to the thickness of the package of the merchandise which is vended.

The block is supported on the laterally dis posed lower end 125 of the vertically disposed plate 126 in the manner shown more clearly in Figure 6. This plate is arranged vertically within the stationary casing 19 in alignment with the delivery chute 10. The upper end of the late is pivotally suspended from the substan ially U-shaped bracket 127 which extends laterally from the front of-the coin controlled supporting block designated generally by the numeral 52 through the medium of the loop member 128 which is attached to the upper end of the plate.

If desired, a spring finger 129 may be secure'd on the forward edge of the ejector block 124 for properly positioning the lowermost package in the compartment disposed adjacent the delivery chute 10.

The lower end portion of the plate, and

. the ejector block carried thereby are disposed directly adjacent the forward ends of the slidable plates 111 112, and 113. Furthermore, the ejector block 124 as well as the lateral extension 125 are adapted for slidable movement through the registering openings 21 and 22 formed in thestationary cylindrical casing 19, and the lower rear walls of the several compartments 5 respectively as is obvious from the construction shown more clearly in Figure 3.

An upstandin pin 131 is carried by the forward end of t 1e slidable plate 111, similar pins 132 and 133 being carried by the forward ends of the other slidable plates 112 and 113 respectively. The pin 131 is adapted for engagement with the lug 134 which extends rearwardly from the lower vertical portion of the plate 126 on one side of the cut out portion 130. A similar lug 135 is arranged on the opposite side of the cut out portion 130 and cooperates with the closely related pins 132 and 133 in the manner as shown in Figure 4, so that the ejector block will be moved forwardly by the pins in the manner which is fully described in my copending application.

The pivotally suspended plate 126 and the ejector block 124 carried thereby are normally held in their rearwardmost position through the medium of the coil spring 145.

The operation of my improved vending ,machine may be briefly stated as follows:

The several magazines or compartments 5 are filled with the merchandise to be vended, and as heretofore stated, the merchandise is preferably put up in package form and may consist of candy, chewing gum, cigarettes, cigars, cakes, and the like, which articles are now marketed in packages to insure the sanitary handling thereof. After the several magazines have been filled, the cover 17 is placed on the top of the polygonel shaped casing 4 and may be secured thereon in any suitable manner.

After the proper coin or coins have passed through the fraud preventing device and have entered the coin controlled mechanism in the manner fully covered in the aforementioned applications, the handle 84 is then swung rearwardly to effect the actuation of one of the slidable plates. As the plate 111 is slid forwardly over the false bottom 77, the upstanding pin 131 which is in engagement with the rear edge of the lever 134, will'force the ejector block forwardly through the registering cut out portion 21 and 22, and the spring finger 129 which is secured on the forward edge of the ejector block will engage the lowermost pocket in the bottom of the container positioned over the chute 10 forwardly through the cut out portion 11, and will discharge the package into the delivery chute where the same mayblock to its normal position when the slidable plate is also moved rearwardly and the manner in which this is accomplished is al-. so more clearly brought out in my copending application.

The provision of a vending machine of the above mentioned character wherein the artiele receiving magazines are carried by the rotatable casing permits a person to select any article desired, and will thereby obviate the necessity of-having to provide individual machines for vending various commodities.

The simplicity in which my improved vending machine is constructed renders the same easily and readily assembled and will furthermore be inexpensive, yet strong and durable, as well as presenting a neat and attractive appearance. It will of course be understood that any advertising or other indicia may be placed on the machine as may be desired.

\Vhile I have shown the preferred en1bodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted 'to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A vending machine comprising in combination, a base, a circular track extending upwardly therefrom, the upper edge of said track having notches formed therein at spaced intervals, a casing, a laterally extending flange formed on the lower end of said casing, said flange being disposed directly over the upper edge of the circular track and being provided at predetermined spaced intervals with openings, a grooved roller journaled in. each of'said openings and. adapted to travel on the upper edge of the track to facilitate the rotation of the easing, said rollers and said notches cooperating to hold the casing in predetermined positions, a plurality of article holding magazines arranged on the inner wall of the casing, and a delivery chute at the side of the base, each magazine having a discharge opening therein, adapted to communicate with said delivery chute when positioned thereover.

2. A vending machine comprising in combination, a base, a circular track extending upwardly therefrom, the upper edge of said track having notches formed therein at spaced intervals, a casing, a laterally extending flange formed on the lower end thereof, said flange being disposed directly above the upper edge of the track and having 0 enings formed therein at spaced interva s, a grooved roller journaled in each of said openings and adapted to travel on the upper edge of the track to facilitate the rotation of the casing, said rollers and said notches cooperating to hold the casing in predetermined positions, a housing over each of said rollers, a handleextending from each of said housing to provide a means whereby said casing may be rotated, a plurality of article holding magazines arranged on the inner wall of the casing, a delivery chute at the side of the base, each magazine having a discharge opening therein adapted to communicate with saiddelivery chute when positioned thereover.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

' lVILLIAM F. DONATHAN. 

